Ottawa
Homeschooling
Conference
1 Day
Keynote Speaker
Targeted Breakout Sessions
Vibrant Vendor Hall
The Teen Track
Community & Connection
Event Starts On
April 18, 2026
ADDRESS
Kanata Baptist Church
465 Hazeldean Road Ottawa, ON K2L 1V1
KEYNOTE 2026
Andrew Pudewa
Andrew Pudewa is the founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing. Presenting around the world, he addresses issues relating to teaching, writing, thinking, and spelling with clarity, insight, practical experience, and humor. His seminars for parents, students, and teachers have helped transform many a reluctant writer and have equipped educators with powerful tools to dramatically improve students’ skills. Although he is a graduate of the Talent Education Institute in Japan (Suzuki Method) and holds a Certificate of Child Brain Development, his best endorsement is from a young Alaskan boy who called him “the funny man with the wonderful words.” He and his beautiful, heroic wife, Robin, homeschooled their seven children and are now proud grandparents of nineteen, making their home in Northeastern Oklahoma’s picturesque Green Country.
Key Speaker 2026
Andrew Pudewa
Keynote: However Imperfectly: Lessons Learned from Thirty Years of Teaching
In this talk Andrew Pudewa shares many humorous experiences (and painful lessons) he has learned over thirty years of teaching and homeschooling. You will be challenged, reassured, and sure to leave with an expanded vision of your calling as a home educator.
Hacking High School: Rethinking the Teen Years
Principles of Motivation
Mastery Learning, Ability Development, and Individualized Education
Seminars
Candy Boisvert
- The Joy of the Preschool years
Laura Bains (Arise Learning Centre)
- How to teach your child to read
Robin Gilman
- Homeschooling 101 and beyond: Fresh inspiration for your homeschooling journey
Amanda Ostrander (True North History)
- Raising Lifelong Learners: Fostering Independence in Elementary Years
- Rhythms and Routines
Dawna Ferguson (Classical Conversations Canada)
- Introduction to the classical approach to home education and why it works so well
- How to stay the course as a veteran homeschool parent
Melanie Jeffrey (OCHEC rep for the Ottawa Valley)
- How to Start a Support Group
Youth
Dawna Ferguson (Classical Conversations Canada)
- Thriving through the teen years
Cori Dean
- Homeschooling through High School (For teens but parents also welcome)
Cori Dean (The Learning House)
- (Parents are welcome to join) Post-secondary options/alternatives for homeschool grads
Registration fees 2026
Early Bird Registration
March 1st to 7th:
Early Bird Adult: $50
Early Bird Full Time Pastor/Missionary: $25
Early Bird Youth (ages 13 and up): $10
Spouse: Free
Regular Registration
March 8th to April 12th:
Regular Adult: $60
Regular Full Time Pastor/Missionary: $30
Spouse: Free
Regular Youth (ages 13 and up): $10
At the door:
(Cash preferred, Card payment available)
Adult: $70 (No Member Discount at Door)
Full Time Pastor/Missionary: $35
Spouse: Free
Youth (ages 13 and up): $10
Vendor Hall Only Pass at 10:00 a.m.: $20
Vendor Hall Only Pass after 3:00 p.m.: $15
Join us for an adults-only day of enrichment! Teens welcome too. Please note, no children allowed, but nursing babies warmly welcomed!
Doors Open: 8:15 AM
Programming begins at 8:45
Vendor Hall Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
FAQs
Yes, on regular adult tickets! Members will have received a discount code by email. We ask that you resist the urge to share the code with friends. We will be checking to make sure that those that use the code are current RVHEA members. There are no discounts at the door, and no further discounts on Full Time Pastors.
No catch. At RVHEA we want to make sure that you both can come enjoy the day together. When you fill in your registration, go ahead and sign your spouse up too. (Sorry, your BFF doesn't count)
RVHEA loves children, but please arrange for offsite child care. The minimum age of attendees is 13 as of December 31, 2025. Youth must be accompanied by an adult (parent or another responsible adult). Nursing babies are welcome, and there will be a quiet room available. Due to space limitations, no strollers will be allowed in the vendor hall.
Church parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged. City of Ottawa By-law requires that cars parked on the street must be moved every 3 hours. We have permission to park in the Farm Boy parking lot. If you are asked, say that you are attending a conference at Kanata Baptist Church.
For general conference questions, send us an email at [email protected]
If you have a registration specific question, please direct them to [email protected]
Refund requests will only be accepted seven or more days before the conference. There is a 50% cancellation fee. No adjustments will be made at the Conference or after the event.